Teacup Poodle

Breed Rating

Breed Details

General

The Teacup Poodle is a size variation of the Poodle that is unofficial. It is the smallest of the Poodle variety. In reality, the Teacup Poodle is the same as the Toy Poodle although smaller in size than the standard AKC Toy Poodle. The teacup variety is common in the states. Breeders are purposely breeding them accordingly. There really is no universal standard for those who are breeding them as the name Teacup Poodle is just a name given to very small Poodles by their breeders.

The dog is especially suited for apartment living for their small size. They have high grooming needs for their coat although they shed very little to none. They are very intelligent dogs making them highly trainable. They are also wonderful family dogs as they are well-mannered and gets along well with children and other dogs.

Color

Coat

This dog's coat is curly or corded. Their coat is not fur but actually a coat of hair that sheds very little to none making them hypoallergenic dogs. It is thick and can easily become matted. Brushing frequently along with a good clipping will help avoid matting.

Personality

The Teacup Poodles as with any other Poodles are known for their adorable look although there are other characteristics that make it just as enjoyable and should be the reason why you will choose to own the dog. They have a lot of character and plenty of cheer. As a very intelligent dog, with that comes a very good amount of training ability. The dog can sometimes be temperamental and overly sensitive that they will either try to interact or sulk when their owner is playing or spending time with someone else other than him. They enjoy being the center of attention and most especially being their master's true companion. These dogs are very suitable as family dogs as they can adjust very well to other dogs and children. Not only do they enjoy being the center of attention, they will also enjoy playing with anyone in the family who wants to play with them. Proper socialization at an early age should be provided for this dog to help them get along well with children and other dogs. In addition, the Miniature Poodles are also protective of their property and owner. Although not necessarily aggressive dogs, they are wonderful watchdogs that they will be vocal when trying to ward off those that come near them.

Care

The Teacup Poodle requires bathing more frequently compared to other breeds. Their coat needs clipping at least every six to eight weeks. As this dog have floppy ears, owners will need to clean and check their ears daily for wax, mites or infection. Hairs growing inside the ear canal will need to be pulled out too. Regular scaling is required for their teeth to keep it healthy. Their coat which is not fur but more like a human hair sheds very little to none. Thus, it needs regular clipping and a professional groomer for maintenance. This maintenance is essential as leaving their hair to grow out without proper maintenance can become a problem later on. Tangled hair is not only a problematic situation for the groomer but will sure pull at the dog?s skin and will make them uncomfortable. There are several types of Poodle clips. The most common for dog owners that is easily achieved is called the 'pet clip', 'lamb clip' or 'puppy clip' where the coat is cut short all over the body. For dogs that are shown, the English saddle and the Continental clip are popular where the rear half of the dog?s body is shaved, bracelets are left around the ankles and pom-poms are left on the hips and tails. Other popular clip styles are the modified continental clip, town and country clip, summer clip, kennel or utility clip and the Miami of bikini clip. These dogs are generally healthy but are prone to several health issues. This includes IMHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia), cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, slipped stifle, diabetes, epilepsy, heart disorders, PRA, allergies, skin conditions, runny eyes, ear infections and digestive tract problems.

Training

As an intelligent breed, the dog is highly trainable. Training should be done in a firm, consistent and positive manner to achieve the best results. It should never be harsh. They enjoy learning and pleasing their owners. They love every minute spent during training and enjoy being trained by you. The Teacup Poodle, as you will find, has many wonderful talents. This includes talents on tricks, retrieval, obedience and watchdog. For a miniature dog, they are very agile as well.

Activity

These dogs need their daily walk. Play should be sufficient for their exercise need; however, their primal instinct to walk as with any other dog will still need to be satisfied. If dogs don?t get sufficient exercise, they tend to become destructive and display behavioral problems. These very small dogs will also like running around off leash in a securely fenced yard. Just make sure that the yard is secure enough that there is not a way for them to get out. Remember that these are small dogs and they could fit just about anywhere. Poodles love the water and they would greatly enjoy activities involving it. These dogs are known to be great swimmers too. For the dog's very small size, they are very suitable for apartment or small space living. They can be very active indoors and should be okay to live without a yard.